Rubber-dam or bib holder.



No. 835,432. PATENTBD NOV. 6, 1906.

H. A. HUGHES.

RUBBER DAM 0R BIB HOLDER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY5.1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUBBER-DAM OR BIB HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Nov. 6,1906.

Application filed May 5. 1906. Serial No. 315,432-

To a whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. HUGHES, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dam or Bib Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in darn or bib holders used by surgeons and dentists in performing operations.

The prime object of the invention is to provide a frame or support ad apted to fit the head of a patient and to which the rubber dam is attached. In the construction of the frame I have hinged the various members to accommodate different sized and shaped heads and at the same time permit the parts to adapt themselves, whereby the patient is not inconvenienced or discomforted by a tight unfitting device.

The invention also comprehends improvements in the specific details of construction and the manner of supporting the rubber dam to the frame.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved dam-holder applied. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the dam-holder. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same.

The same numerals refer to like parts in all the figures.

1 indicates a frame as a whole composed of a front head member 2, which fits over the front part of the top of the head, two damsupporting members 3 3, and a rear head member 4.. Members 3 3 are hinged, as by rivets 5 5, to the lower ends of the head member 2, and by these rivets the rear head member is also hinged to the front head member 2.

The dam-supporting members are exactly alike, and a description of one will be sufiicient for a comprehensive understanding of the other. Each member 3 extends from its hinge-point 5, and at its free end it is provided with hooks 6 and 7. The hooks 6 are located on a line drawn above the mouth and are desi nod to receive the upper ends of the rubber am when it is first attached, while the hooks 7 are located below hooks 6 and on a line drawn below the mouth. The dam is secured around the tooth to be operated upon and is stretched in approximately a straight line across the upper part of the patients mouth andsecured to the hook 6, and

the lower edges of the dam are drawn on a line below the mouth and the corners engage the hooks 7.

The hinge connection between the members forming the frame enables me to adjust it to any-sized head. By reason of the parts being arranged to adapt themselves to the head it necessarily follows that when in use the device is comfortable and does not cause inconvenience to either patient or practitioner.

The invention is simple and durable, and the advantages can be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. By the use of a device as described elastics are dispensed with.

What I claim is A rubber-dam or like supporter, comprising'a frame including a front head member and a rear head member hinged together, and a pair of dam-engaging members suspended from the frame, each dam-engaging member having two hooks formed integral therewith.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' HENRY A. HUGHES.

Witnesses:

ELIZABETH L. MACFATE, JNo. IMIRIE. 

